Benzaiten ni Ryu 1786 - 1868

"Benzaiten ni Ryu" (1786-1868) by Yashima Gakutei depicts the goddess Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, seated beneath a tree, with a dragon emerging from behind her. Benzaiten is traditionally associated with music, poetry, and beauty, and is often depicted with a musical instrument, like the one in this print. The detailed rendering of the dragon and Benzaiten's elegant attire, printed with the traditional ukiyo-e woodblock printing technique, reflects the artistry of the Edo Period. This piece, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides insight into Japanese mythology and artistic traditions.